Fertilizer and fertilizer additive compositions and methods comprising by-products from the manufacture of fatty acid alkyl esters and/or biodiesel

Abstract

Fertilizers and fertilizer additive compositions and methods are provided. The compositions and methods comprise utilizing by-products from the manufacture of biodiesel and/or fatty alkyl esters, wherein the by-product comprises glycerin, mong, moisture, C 6 -C 24 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, C 6 -C 24 saturated and unsaturated fatty acid salts, methyl esters, ethyl esters and combinations thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Fertilizer and fertilizer additive compositions for application to soil and fertilizer compositions, said fertilizer and fertilizer additive compositions consisting of by-product glycerin mixed with microorganisms and enzymes wherein the by-product glycerin is derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process or transesterification reactions involving triglycerides and wherein the by-product glycerin further comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of methanol, sodium chloride, glycerides, C 6 -C 24  fatty acids, inorganic salts, mong, unsaponifiable material and water, and wherein said enzymes promote breakdown or decomposition of the by-products. 
     
     
       2. The composition of  claim 1 , in the form of an aqueous emulsion, liquid or foam. 
     
     
       3. The composition of  claim 1  wherein the C 6 -C 24  fatty acids are selected from the group consisting of myristic acid, myristoleic acid, pentadecanoic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, margaric acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, arachidic acid, behenic acid, eicosenoic acid, lignoceric acid, and tetracosenic acid. 
     
     
       4. A fertilizer composition consisting of the composition of  claim 1 . 
     
     
       5. A fertilizer composition consisting of the composition of  claim 1  mixed with other fertilizers. 
     
     
       6. A method of making soil more fertile comprising adding the composition of  claim 1  to the soil. 
     
     
       7. A method of mitigating or preventing atmospheric loss of nitrogen and/or ammonia used in fertilizer applications comprising mixing the nitrogen and/or ammonia with a composition according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
       8. A fertilizer composition consisting of less than 50% of a fertilizer additive composition mixed with other fertilizers, the fertilizer additive composition consisting essentially of by-product glycerin mixed with microorganisms and enzymes wherein the by-product glycerin is derived from a biodiesel manufacturing process or transesterification reactions involving triglycerides and wherein the by-product glycerin further comprises one or more components selected from the group consisting of methanol, sodium chloride, glycerides, C 6 -C 24  fatty acids, inorganic salts, mong, unsaponifiable material and water, and wherein said enzymes promote breakdown or decomposition of the by-products.